Split Superbowl Shows
- Erik Vazquez-Kew
- Mar 6
- 2 min read
Super Bowl LX took the nation by storm on Sunday, February 8th. As the Seahawks faced the Patriots, Americans found themselves divided between two halftime shows, the NFL’s performance by Bad Bunny and Turning Point USA’s alternative show headlined by Kid Rock.
In late December 2025, the NFL announced that Bad Bunny, an up and coming Puerto Rican artist who recently won a Grammy for his album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” would headline the halftime show. The decision sparked backlash from some groups, including Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that opposed having a Latino artist perform at what they called an “All-American” event.
In response, TPUSA launched its own halftime show to promote American “culture, freedom, and faith.” Spokesperson Andrew Kolvet said, “The event aims to provide great music for people that love great music without parents having to worry about shielding their children's eyes.” The organization argued that some of Bad Bunny’s lyrics were inappropriate for children.
Critics also targeted the fact that Bad Bunny performs entirely in Spanish. All twelve songs he performed at the Super Bowl contained no English lyrics, which angered conservatives and even President Trump. Despite endorsing TPUSA, the President actually watched Bad Bunny’s halftime show.
Regardless of the criticism, TPUSA could not compete. Bad Bunny’s performance peaked at 140 million viewers, while Kid Rock’s show drew only 5 million live viewers, all from America. Benito’s songs “DtMF” and “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” claimed the top two spots on the Billboard Hot 100, each of which have reached over a billion streams on Spotify.
Charlotte Catholic students reacted with mixed opinions. In a poll of 100 students, 58% preferred the NFL’s halftime show. Sophomore Emile Martin said, “It was absolute peak because it showed Latin and Spanish culture. His singing is also amazing. I also liked how he mixed Latino culture with American in some parts like the Lady Gaga song.”
On the other hand, Junior Alex Walser said, “I preferred TPUSA because I was able to understand the lyrics, and I loved the tribute to Charlie Kirk.”
Whether people preferred Bad Bunny or Kid Rock, one thing is clear: having two different shows created a unique moment. Each performance gave fans a chance to celebrate and enjoy America in distinctive ways.
